Selected Indicators of Immunothrombosis in Apparently Healthy Nigerian Women of Different Reproductive Status

Abstract

Introduction: Women are considered to be vulnerable with regards to immunothrombotic conditions. Exploring this bidirectional susceptibility across the different female reproductive phases is important for effective maternal healthcare delivery. This study assessed selected indicators of immunothrombosis between premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Methods: Equal numbers of premenopausal and postmenopausal women totaling one hundred were recruited for this comparative study. Blood sample was collected from each participant into appropriate sample bottles. Blood cell counts were carried out by haemocytometry and microscopic blood film reading. Standard manual methods were also employed for prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and relative plasma viscosity tests, while blood cell ratios were calculated. Results are expressed as Mean ±SD following student t-test analysis of data on SPSS version 22.0. Statistical significance was drawn at a p≤ 0.05.

Results: The eosinophils count (0.42±0.31x10⁹/l), monocyte count (0.05±0.05x10⁹/l) and platelets count (150.04±46.88x10⁹/l) were significantly higher in premenopausal women than postmenopausal women (0.29±0.27x10⁹/l, 0.03±0.03x10⁹/l and 132.62±38.37x10⁹/l respectively), while a significantly higher value was observed in the relative plasma viscosity of postmenopausal women (1.74±0.17mPa/s) than the premenopausal women (1.59±0.10mPa/s). The two derived indicators of inflammation (NLR) and thrombosis (PLR) correlated positively in both premenopausal (r=0.397, p=0.004) and postmenopausal (r=0.293, p=0.039) women.

Conclusion: Immune and thrombotic parameters are largely comparable in apparently healthy adult females irrespective of their reproductive phase. However, eosinophil, monocyte and platelet counts were observed to be significantly higher in premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women.